Aayi Mahamayi
From Aathi Parasakthi · 1971
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- P. Susheela
- Music director
- K. V. Mahadevan
- Details
- Aathi Parasakthi1971
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Aaaa…..aaaaa…… | Aaaa…..aaaaa…… |
| Aayi magamaayi.. aayiram kannudaiyaal | Oh Mother, Great Mother, the one with a thousand eyes! |
| Neeli thirisooli neengaadha pottudaiyaal | The blue-throated one carrying a trident, adorned with a permanent bindi! |
| Samayapuraththaalae | Oh Goddess of Samayapuram! |
| Saambiraani vaasakiyae | Oh Goddess who resides in the fragrance of incense! |
| Samayapuraththai vittu | Leaving Samayapuram... |
| Sadudhiyilae vaarumammaa.. | Come here quickly, oh Mother! |
| Female | |
| {Maayi magamaayi | Oh Mother, Great Mother! |
| Mani manthira sekariyae | The collector and master of precious gems and sacred mantras! |
| Enga aayi umaiyaanavalae | Our Mother who manifested as Goddess Uma! |
| Asthaana maarimuththae} (2) | Oh pearl of the royal court, Goddess Mariamman! |
| Female | |
| Silambu piranthathammaa | Oh Mother, Great Mother! |
| Sivalinga saalaiyilae | The collector and master of precious gems and sacred mantras! |
| Pirambu piranthathammaa | Our Mother who manifested as Goddess Uma! |
| Pichaandi sannidhiyil | Oh pearl of the royal court, Goddess Mariamman! |
| Female | |
| Udukkai piranthathammaa | The sacred anklet was born, oh Mother, |
| Uruthraatcha boomiyilae | In the grand hall of the Sivalinga; |
| Pambai piranthathammaa | The sacred cane was born, oh Mother, |
| Palingu maa mandabaththil | In the sacred presence of Lord Shiva; |
| Female | |
| Maayi magamaayi | The Udukkai drum was born, oh Mother, |
| Mani manthira sekariyae | In the holy land of Rudraksha; |
| Enga aayi umaiyaanavalae | The Pambai drum was born, oh Mother, |
| Asthaana maarimuththae | In the magnificent marble pavilion! |
| Female | |
| Parigaasam seidhavarai | Oh Mother, Great Mother! |
| Padhaipadhaikka vettiduvae | The collector and master of precious gems and sacred mantras! |
| Parigaaram kettu vittaa | Our Mother who manifested as Goddess Uma! |
| Pakkaththunai nee iruppae | Oh pearl of the royal court, Goddess Mariamman! |
| Male | |
| Melnaattu pillaiyidam | Those who make mock and ridicule you, |
| Nee potta muththiraiyai | You will strike down till they tremble in agony; |
| Nee paarththu aaththi vachaa | If they ask for atonement and remedies, |
| Naal paarththu poojai seivaan | You will stand beside them as an unwavering support! |
| Female | |
| Maayi magamaayi | Upon the child from the foreign land, |
| Mani manthira sekariyae | The sacred seal (marks) that you placed, |
| Enga aayi umaiyaanavalae | If you look upon them and heal them, |
| Asthaana maarimuththae | He will seek an auspicious day and perform worship to you! |
| Female | |
| Kuzanthai varunthuvadhu | Oh Mother, Great Mother! |
| Kovilukku ketkalaiyo | The collector and master of precious gems and sacred mantras! |
| Mainthan varunthuvadhu | Our Mother who manifested as Goddess Uma! |
| Maaligaikku ketkalaiyo | Oh pearl of the royal court, Goddess Mariamman! |
| Female | |
| Ezhai kuzhanthaiyammaa.. | Does the sorrow of this child, |
| Eduththorkku baalanammaa | Not reach the ears of your temple? |
| Un kaalil paninthu vittaan | Does the distress of this son, |
| Dhayavudan nee paarumammaa | Not reach your heavenly palace? |
| Female | |
| Kaththi pol veppilaiyaam.. | He is a helpless child, oh Mother, |
| Kaaliyamman maruththuvamaam | A child raised in loving hands, oh Mother; |
| Eetti pol veppilaiyaam.. | He has bowed down at your divine feet, |
| Eswariyin arumarunthaam | Look upon him with grace and mercy, oh Mother! |
| Veppilaiyil ullirukkum.. | Neem leaves, sharp like a knife, |
| Viththaithanai yaar arivaar | Are the divine medicine of Goddess Kali; |
| Female | |
| Aayaa manamiranggu | Neem leaves, piercing like a spear, |
| En aaththaa manam iranggu | Are the supreme remedy of Goddess Eswari; |
| Ammaiyae nee irangu | The divine power hidden within the neem leaves, |
| En annaiyae nee iranggu | Who can truly understand its secret miracle? |
ஆஆ ஆஆஆ
ஆயி மகமாயி ஆயிரம்
கண்ணுடையாள் நீலி
திரிசூலி நீங்காத
பொட்டுடையால்
சமயபுரத்தாலே சாம்பிராணி
வாசகியே சமயபுரத்தை
விட்டு சடுதியிலே வாருமம்மா
Aaaa…..aaaaa……
Oh Mother, Great Mother, the one with a thousand eyes!
The blue-throated one carrying a trident, adorned with a permanent bindi!
Oh Goddess of Samayapuram!
Oh Goddess who resides in the fragrance of incense!
Leaving Samayapuram...
Come here quickly, oh Mother!
{ மாயி மகமாயி
மணி மந்திர சேகரியே
எங்க ஆயி உமையானவளே
அஸ்தான மாரிமுத்தே } (2)
Oh Mother, Great Mother!
The collector and master of precious gems and sacred mantras!
Our Mother who manifested as Goddess Uma!
Oh pearl of the royal court, Goddess Mariamman!
சிலம்பு பிறந்ததம்மா
சிவலிங்க சாலையிலே பிரம்பு
பிறந்ததம்மா பிச்சாண்டி
சந்நிதியில்
Oh Mother, Great Mother!
The collector and master of precious gems and sacred mantras!
Our Mother who manifested as Goddess Uma!
Oh pearl of the royal court, Goddess Mariamman!
உடுக்கை பிறந்ததம்மா
உருத்திராட்ச பூமியிலே பாம்பை
பிறந்ததம்மா பளிங்கு மா
மண்டபத்தில்
The sacred anklet was born, oh Mother,
In the grand hall of the Sivalinga;
The sacred cane was born, oh Mother,
In the sacred presence of Lord Shiva;
மாயி மகமாயி
மணி மந்திர சேகரியே
எங்க ஆயி உமையானவளே
அஸ்தான மாரிமுத்தே
The Udukkai drum was born, oh Mother,
In the holy land of Rudraksha;
The Pambai drum was born, oh Mother,
In the magnificent marble pavilion!
பரிகாசம்
செய்தவரை பதை
பதைக்க வெட்டிடுவே
பரிகாரம் கேட்டு விட்டா
பக்கத்துணை நீ இருப்பே
Oh Mother, Great Mother!
The collector and master of precious gems and sacred mantras!
Our Mother who manifested as Goddess Uma!
Oh pearl of the royal court, Goddess Mariamman!
மேல்நாட்டு
பிள்ளையிடம் நீ போட்ட
முத்திரையை நீ பார்த்து
ஆத்தி வச்சா நாள் பார்த்து
பூஜை செய்வான்
Those who make mock and ridicule you,
You will strike down till they tremble in agony;
If they ask for atonement and remedies,
You will stand beside them as an unwavering support!
மாயி மகமாயி
மணி மந்திர சேகரியே
எங்க ஆயி உமையானவளே
அஸ்தான மாரிமுத்தே
Upon the child from the foreign land,
The sacred seal (marks) that you placed,
If you look upon them and heal them,
He will seek an auspicious day and perform worship to you!
குழந்தை
வருந்துவது கோவிலுக்கு
கேட்கலையோ மைந்தன்
வருந்துவது மாளிகைக்கு
கேட்கலையோ
Oh Mother, Great Mother!
The collector and master of precious gems and sacred mantras!
Our Mother who manifested as Goddess Uma!
Oh pearl of the royal court, Goddess Mariamman!
ஏழை குழந்தையம்மா
எடுத்தோர்க்கு பாலனம்மா உன்
காலில் பணிந்து விட்டான்
தயவுடன் நீ பாருமம்மா
Does the sorrow of this child,
Not reach the ears of your temple?
Does the distress of this son,
Not reach your heavenly palace?
கத்தி போல்
வேப்பிலையாம்
காளியம்மன் மருத்துவமாம்
ஈட்டி போல் வேப்பிலையாம்
ஈஸ்வரியின் அருமருந்தாம்
வேப்பிலையில் உள்ளிருக்கும்
விதைத்தனை யார் அறிவார்
He is a helpless child, oh Mother,
A child raised in loving hands, oh Mother;
He has bowed down at your divine feet,
Look upon him with grace and mercy, oh Mother!
Neem leaves, sharp like a knife,
Are the divine medicine of Goddess Kali;
ஆயா மனமிறங்கு
என் ஆத்தா மனம் இறங்கு
அம்மையே நீ இறங்கு என்
அன்னையே நீ இறங்கு
Neem leaves, piercing like a spear,
Are the supreme remedy of Goddess Eswari;
The divine power hidden within the neem leaves,
Who can truly understand its secret miracle?
Aaaa…..aaaaa……
Aaaa…..aaaaa……
Aayi magamaayi.. aayiram kannudaiyaal
Oh Mother, Great Mother, the one with a thousand eyes!
Neeli thirisooli neengaadha pottudaiyaal
The blue-throated one carrying a trident, adorned with a permanent bindi!
Samayapuraththaalae
Oh Goddess of Samayapuram!
Saambiraani vaasakiyae
Oh Goddess who resides in the fragrance of incense!
Samayapuraththai vittu
Leaving Samayapuram...
Sadudhiyilae vaarumammaa..
Come here quickly, oh Mother!
{Maayi magamaayi
Oh Mother, Great Mother!
Mani manthira sekariyae
The collector and master of precious gems and sacred mantras!
Enga aayi umaiyaanavalae
Our Mother who manifested as Goddess Uma!
Asthaana maarimuththae} (2)
Oh pearl of the royal court, Goddess Mariamman!
Silambu piranthathammaa
Oh Mother, Great Mother!
Sivalinga saalaiyilae
The collector and master of precious gems and sacred mantras!
Pirambu piranthathammaa
Our Mother who manifested as Goddess Uma!
Pichaandi sannidhiyil
Oh pearl of the royal court, Goddess Mariamman!
Udukkai piranthathammaa
The sacred anklet was born, oh Mother,
Uruthraatcha boomiyilae
In the grand hall of the Sivalinga;
Pambai piranthathammaa
The sacred cane was born, oh Mother,
Palingu maa mandabaththil
In the sacred presence of Lord Shiva;
Maayi magamaayi
The Udukkai drum was born, oh Mother,
Mani manthira sekariyae
In the holy land of Rudraksha;
Enga aayi umaiyaanavalae
The Pambai drum was born, oh Mother,
Asthaana maarimuththae
In the magnificent marble pavilion!
Parigaasam seidhavarai
Oh Mother, Great Mother!
Padhaipadhaikka vettiduvae
The collector and master of precious gems and sacred mantras!
Parigaaram kettu vittaa
Our Mother who manifested as Goddess Uma!
Pakkaththunai nee iruppae
Oh pearl of the royal court, Goddess Mariamman!
Melnaattu pillaiyidam
Those who make mock and ridicule you,
Nee potta muththiraiyai
You will strike down till they tremble in agony;
Nee paarththu aaththi vachaa
If they ask for atonement and remedies,
Naal paarththu poojai seivaan
You will stand beside them as an unwavering support!
Maayi magamaayi
Upon the child from the foreign land,
Mani manthira sekariyae
The sacred seal (marks) that you placed,
Enga aayi umaiyaanavalae
If you look upon them and heal them,
Asthaana maarimuththae
He will seek an auspicious day and perform worship to you!
Kuzanthai varunthuvadhu
Oh Mother, Great Mother!
Kovilukku ketkalaiyo
The collector and master of precious gems and sacred mantras!
Mainthan varunthuvadhu
Our Mother who manifested as Goddess Uma!
Maaligaikku ketkalaiyo
Oh pearl of the royal court, Goddess Mariamman!
Ezhai kuzhanthaiyammaa..
Does the sorrow of this child,
Eduththorkku baalanammaa
Not reach the ears of your temple?
Un kaalil paninthu vittaan
Does the distress of this son,
Dhayavudan nee paarumammaa
Not reach your heavenly palace?
Kaththi pol veppilaiyaam..
He is a helpless child, oh Mother,
Kaaliyamman maruththuvamaam
A child raised in loving hands, oh Mother;
Eetti pol veppilaiyaam..
He has bowed down at your divine feet,
Eswariyin arumarunthaam
Look upon him with grace and mercy, oh Mother!
Veppilaiyil ullirukkum..
Neem leaves, sharp like a knife,
Viththaithanai yaar arivaar
Are the divine medicine of Goddess Kali;
Aayaa manamiranggu
Neem leaves, piercing like a spear,
En aaththaa manam iranggu
Are the supreme remedy of Goddess Eswari;
Ammaiyae nee irangu
The divine power hidden within the neem leaves,
En annaiyae nee iranggu
Who can truly understand its secret miracle?
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song is a powerful devotional hymn addressed to Goddess Mariamman (an incarnation of Aathi Parasakthi / Kali). The devotee begins by praising the divine attributes, sacred places, and ritual instruments associated with the Goddess—such as the silambu (anklet), udukkai, and pambai drums. The lyrics highlight her formidable duality: she punishes arrogance and mockery severely, yet transforms into a deeply compassionate mother for those who seek forgiveness and grace. In the second half, the song portrays a tender plea for healing. The singer prays on behalf of an afflicted child, asking the Goddess to remove his illness (metaphorically represented by smallpox/fever marks). Praising the medicinal and mystical powers of neem leaves—the sacred emblem of Goddess Kali—the devotee begs the Mother Goddess to relent, soften her heart, and bestow divine health and mercy upon her suffering child.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyming)
“Silambu piranthathammaa / Pirambu piranthathammaa”
The second letters of consecutive lines rhyme, creating a rhythmic, chant-like cadence (e.g., 'Silambu' and 'Pirambu', 'Kaththi' and 'Eetti').
Monai (Alliteration)
“Maayi magamaayi / Mani manthira sekariyae”
Repetition of initial consonant sounds across words in a line (M-alliteration) to enhance musicality.
Upamai (Simile)
“Kaththi pol veppilaiyaam / Eetti pol veppilaiyaam”
Comparing sacred neem leaves to sharp weapons (knife and spear) to represent their potent power in severing disease.
Anaphora / Repetition (Anaphora)
“Aayaa manamiranggu / En aaththaa manam iranggu / Ammaiyae nee irangu / En annaiyae nee iranggu”
Repetition of the pleading phrase 'manam iranggu' / 'nee irangu' at the end of consecutive lines for dramatic, emotional effect.
Did you know?
Trivia
This iconic devotional song is featured in the Tamil mythological film 'Aathi Parasakthi' (1971), directed by K. S. Gopalakrishnan. The film features Jayalalithaa playing the role of Goddess Parasakthi and Gemini Ganesan as Lord Shiva. The song captures authentic folk traditions of Mariamman worship in Tamil Nadu, including the use of neem leaves and ritualistic drumming.
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